Holdsclaw Sparks Mystics Past Liberty

WNBA - Semifinals

August 23, 2002

Just when it seemed Chamique Holdsclaw had been shut down, she pulled off three consecutive brilliant plays to send the Washington Mystics on their way to another playoff victory.

A give-and-go assist to Annie Burgess, a baseline move for a layup and a rifled backdoor pass to Stacey Dales-Schuman capped a 12-3 run that put the Mystics ahead for good as they beat the New York Liberty 79-74 Thursday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Eastern Conference finals.

Holdsclaw, the league's leading scorer and rebounding during the regular season, added a 17-foot jumper on the next possession and finished with 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, nine rebounds and six assists for the third-seeded Mystics, who are enjoying their best playoff run ever.

Top-seeded New York will host Game 2 on Saturday and Game 3, if necessary, on Sunday.

Orlando's Tari Phillips, who dominated in the paint until the game's final 10 minutes, led the Liberty with 21 points. Crystal Robinson had 20.

SPARKS TOP STARZZ

DeLisha Milton had 13 of her 17 points in the first seven minutes after halftime as the Sparks beat the Utah Starzz 75-67 in the opening game of the Western Conference finals.

Natalie Williams had 14 points and 11 rebounds while Margo Dydek scored 13 points for the Starzz, but the 7-foot-2 center was slowed by four first-half fouls and didn't dominate the way Utah needed.

Lisa Leslie scored 12 points and blocked seven shots for the Sparks, who also got 13 points from Tamecka Dixon and 11 each from Mwadi Mabika and Nikki Teasley.